CHASE SEXTON CLAIMS A1 VICTORY

The Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship kicked off at Anaheim 1 with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Chase Sexton claiming the first round win. 

Sexton, the 2023 AMA SX 450 champion, had a relatively uncontested heat win and after Yamaha’s Eli Tomac crashed out on lap one, Sexton made his way past Kawasaki riders Jason Anderson and Jorge Prado to lead the main event and ultimately secure P1. This marked not only his first season open win, but Sexton’s 10th 450SX victory and an optimistic start for the 25-year-old heading into the 2025 season. 

Chase Sexton:
“I’m still kind of processing tonight. It’s cool to win Anaheim 1 since it’s a pretty hyped race! I’ve come close in the past, so it was nice to come out on top tonight. I had a lot of fun riding today, had a good time on the track, which was really busy, and I think that kind of plays into my favor. We put a lot of work in during the off-season to get back to where I need to be, so it’s been a long road, but it makes this win feel even better.”

KTM teammate Aaron Plessinger experienced a steady night, claiming ninth in the main event after qualifying P6 and taking P6 in the heat race. Plessinger’s A1 didn’t go the way he planned, but is keeping his head high heading into round two this weekend. 

Aaron Plessinger:
“Anaheim 1 didn’t go the way I wanted it to, but we’re walking out healthy. I was kind of sluggish all day, and I didn’t get off to a very good start in the Main Event, which made things harder for me. I’m going to go back and do some more testing this week, do some work, and come into San Diego with an improved feeling and aim to get back on the box.”

Over in the 250SX West division, KTM rider and 18-year-old Julien Beaumer was undoubtedly the talk of the night, even if all eyes were on Yamaha’s Haiden Deegan. Beaumer topped qualifying after a lap duel with Deegan, and then went on to win the Heat race with a well-timed late pass on Triumph’s Jordan Smith. 

The main event saw a strong start for Beaumer who quickly slot into P2 behind Honda’s Jo Shimoda. As the race unfolded, Beaumer looked in tune to make a run on Shimoda, though ultimately Shimoda ended up motoring away from Beaumer for the win. Nonetheless, Beaumer claimed a well-deserved runner up result which signified his first career Supercross podium.

Julien Beaumer:
“We’re in a lot better space mentally and physically than we were last year, and I have a lot more belief in myself that I can go the distance. Today I concentrated on minimizing the mistakes on race day, I rode with a lot more maturity than I did last season. I rode calmly, smoothly and tried to ride like I do at the test track. I feel like I achieved that and showed that I’m one of the title contenders this year.”

Round two of the AMA Monster Energy Supercross Championship heads to San Diego this weekend at Snapdragon Stadium. 

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